Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Lawrence Moyo
2 May 2009
Harare — ACCLAIMED Chimurenga musician Thomas "Mukanya" Mapfumo will release his first ever DVD this coming week as part of an ambitious programme of repackaging his work, in the archives for ages now.
Also being released within the next five days is a 14-track CD titled African Classics, a compilation of his songs from the 1970s, some of which were on vinyl as "seven-singles".
Mukanya plans to repackage virtually all his great music from the 70s which was only available on vinyl and also release a number of DVDs, mainly from his live performances in the United States.
The seven-track DVD, to be released by Gramma Records on Wednesday, to be sold for US$5 only, is 80 minutes long and titled Hurukuro.
It was recorded in the United States at the University of California San Diego's Price Centre Theatre, on February 23 in 2003 as part of the institution's Guestbook.
Professor Bennetta Jules-Rosette, the director of African and African-American studies research project at the UCSD's department of sociology hosted Mukanya, when the veteran artiste gave a lecture on his traditional music.
As project director, Professor Benetta organises research programmes, symposia, community and youth outreach, and cultural events focusing on Africa and the Diaspora.
Her research interests include contemporary African art and literature, semiotic studies of Black Paris, religious discourse, and new technologies in Africa.
Considered Zimbabwe's premier performing artist and musician, Mukanya opened African and African American Studies Research Project's Black History Month activities and gave a public lecture-performance.
Between February 16-24 of 2003, Mukanya presented lectures in Making of the Modern World (Eleanor Roosevelt College), Sociology, Music and Ethnic Studies as well as a music workshop, and convened AAASRP's youth Forum.
He then appeared on UCSD Television's Guestbook with Professor Bennetta.
On the day, Mapfumo was performing with just four members of his Blacks Unlimited - Zivai Guvheya (lead guitar and mbira), Chakaipa Mhembere (mbira), Lancelot Mapfumo (congas/drum) and Jean Perry (percussion).
He opened with an all-time classic, Pfumvu Paruzevha, which he did in support of the liberation struggle in the 70s, while the other tracks are Hwahwa, Pidigori, Ndakanga Ndabaiwa, Bhutsu Mutandarika, Chinungu and Corruption.
Apart from Bhutsu Mutandarika where Guvheya plays the lead guitar, the rest of the songs only had "mbira, ngoma nehosho."
The 14-track CD carries classics like Chiiko Chinotinetsa, Ndatomutswa nengoma, Nyathi (a song about one Morrison Nyathi who betrayed freedom fighters at Chimoio), Vamudhara, Farirai Zimbabwe, Harare, Vakarwara Neshanje, Tonga nyaya Dzinonetsa, Chaive Chinyakare and Chii chati go-o.
The remaining four tracks include Hombi, Chiruzevha Chapera, Chiwaya-waya and Tererai Mutemo.
Chimurenga Music Company spokesman Cuthbert Chiromo, who is also the Blacks Unlimited's replication manager, said they are planning to release Mukanya's work, which has been gathering dust in the archives.
Most of the music has NOT been heard before with the majority of Mukanya's fans only aware of the later versions of the songs in question.
Chiromo said they were being frustrated by the rampant piracy of local music, a major reason why they have been holding on to Mukanya's unrecorded work for years.
"There is so much material from Mukanya that has not been produced for his fans and if all goes well we should be releasing the stuff in the coming months starting next week on May 6.
"The biggest challenge has been piracy which results in artistes losing out. Mukanya is a top musician and he ensures that he puts a lot of resources into producing a quality album and that is why he takes his time.
"But most disappointing is that all these efforts mean nothing, as long as piracy continues unabated.
"For the way we look at it, the problem is that our products are being priced beyond the reach of music fans and they are left with no option but turn to piracy.
"So we believe that we can reduce piracy by ensuring that our products are sold at the right price and that is why I'm saying our CD should sell for US$5 in the shops because it costs US$3,79 at Gramma.
"If Gramma's price covers for all costs, including the artiste's fees, it then does not make sense that shops sell our CDs for US$10 or more when their expenses are nowhere near what the artiste and the recording company incur.
"So I believe very few people will turn to piracy if we sell our CDs for US$5 -- as we will do next week - because it is very reasonable and fair.
"A DVD should not cost more than US$7,50 because you get it for US$4,98 from Gramma and the price of US$15 is ridiculous, to say the least.
"That's daylight robbery and that's why music fans end up looking for pirated copies. So, pricing is an area of serious concern before we even look for other reasons," said Chiromo.
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